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Comprehensive Answers
I’ve compiled a list of the most frequent questions that I have received over my career. It’s normal and encouraged for patients to ask many questions when choosing to work with a licensed Therapist. Here are some answers to the questions I receive the most. Therapy, especially trauma therapy and therapy for chronic pain management, has changed over the years and can offer significant help to those in pain. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch by clicking the blue box at the bottom. I will be happy to arrange a FREE 15 minute consultation. There is absolutely no obligation and no pressure. My goal is to help in any way possible. Please feel free to avail yourself of this free service. It will be 15 minutes well spent.
What models of therapy do you use?
I am primarily an EMDR therapist. EMDR has been shown by the best research to be effective in healing single incident trauma, complex trauma, anxiety (even severe anxiety), addictions, and phobias. I am also trained to use EMDR and other therapies to effectively treat chronic pain. I also use Hypnotherapy to help stabilize and relax clients who have a difficult time remaining calm and present. I use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help clients who have a difficult time regulating emotions or that tend to dissociate (zone out). Parts work is used in extreme cases of dissociation and with clients who have difficulty accessing certain memories or have medically unexplained chronic pain. The bottom line is that no single therapy is completely effective in treating every issue people suffer with. A well-trained and experienced therapist will be able to move fluidly with the client to meet their needs where they are in the moment.
Do you offer sliding scale rates?
My service is how I make keep the bills paid and keep the bill collectors at bay. In order to continue providing superior psychotherapy, I must charge for work, and at a rate that allow me to be properly insured, licensed, and trained. That said, there are times we all need help and I do not want finances to be a barrier to this help. To this end, I offer a sliding scale in certain circumstances to make therapy more affordable for those that need it. There also may be times I help clients find extremely low cost or free services through community agencies.
How long does each therapy session take?
Your initial therapy session may take as much as an hour and a half. This is due partially to laws and regulations that require us to cover a lot of information during the first session. The other part is that I really want to help, and in order for me to provide the most effective help, I need to get to know a little about you and about the challenges that bring you to therapy. This can take a little time, but is a necessary part of the process and will pay off. After this, a session will normally be 45 to 50 minutes in length. This is usually adequate to meet your goals. If you require longer sessions, we can arrange this as needed.